We’re flexible

IBM mainframes run operating systems including z/OS®, z/VM®, z/VSE®, Linux on IBM Z®, and z/TPF. In fact, it is common for multiple operating systems to run on a single mainframe. Each operating system is a sophisticated product with unique characteristics designed to make the best use of your mainframe investment.

Explore the mainframe operating systems

z/OS

IBM z/OS is a widely-used mainframe operating system designed for a stable, secure and highly available environment. z/OS offers security to protect sensitive information and assets. With resiliency, scalability and speed, z/OS helps exceed availability and response time objectives for business applications.

Linux on Z

Open source Linux distributions run on IBM Z, benefitting from the mainframe’s high data security, operational efficiency, availability and performance. Linux on Z provides an enterprise platform for cloud and analytics. Coupled with virtualization, a single mainframe can run up to thousands of virtual Linux servers concurrently.

z/VM

IBM z/VM is the leading hypervisor for critical workloads. It runs up to thousands of Linux on Z virtual machines on one mainframe and can host other operating systems such as z/OS, z/VSE and z/TPF. z/VM’s reliability, performance, system management, scalability and security offer a strong foundation for Linux applications.

z/VSE

IBM z/VSE is an easy to manage and widely-used IBM Z operating system for reliable and secure online transactions and batch workloads. It can be integrated in a hybrid IT environment with z/VSE Connectors and enhanced with new workloads in a colocated Linux on Z environment.

z/TPF

Thez/Transaction Processing Facility(z/TPF) is a special-purpose operating system used to process very high transaction volumes, such as credit card transactions and airline reservations. It handles near real-time transactions with the high quality service of the IBM Z mainframe.